Transcript American History

An Introduction to the Odyssey
The tale of a hero’s difficult 20 year journey
home...
But, it is also the story of a son in need of his
father and of a faithful wife waiting for her
husband’s return.
[End of Section]
Homer (7th or 8th Century B.C)
No one knows for sure who Homer was.
• Later Greeks believed he was a blind minstrel,
or singer.
• One scholar suggests Homer
was a woman because home
and love played such an
important role in his stories.
• Some scholar think there were
two Homers. Some think he was
just a legend.
[End of Section]
Epics and Values
Epics are long narrative poems that tell of the
adventures of larger than life heroes who in some
way embody the values of their civilization.
• The action begins “en media res” – “in the middle of
things.
• The hero is a great leader who is identified strongly with
a particular society; great deeds in battle and often
undertakes an extraordinary journey.
• The setting is broad and includes supernatural realms.
• Gods and goddesses are prominent.
• Epithets: descriptive phrase to offer characterization.
Epics and Values
The Epic Tradition
All epic poems in the western world owe
something to the basic patterns established in
Homer’s epics.
• The Iliad is the primary
model for an epic of war.
• The Odyssey is the model
for an epic of the long
journey.
[End of Section]
The Telling of Epics
Epics and other tales were
probably told by wandering
bards or minstrels called
rhapsodes. Rhapsodes were
• the historians, entertainers,
and mythmakers of their time
• responsible for spreading
news about recent events or
the doings of heroes, gods,
and goddesses
The Telling of Epics
Epics were originally told aloud.
• Incorporated formulaic descriptions known as
epithets ie lord of cloud
• Most of the words were improvised to fit a
particular rhythm or meter.
• Epics included Homeric, or epic, similes that
compare heroic events to easily understandable
everyday events.
• Used repetition throughout
Epic Heroes
• Larger than life (Brave, noble, extreme strength), but
HUMAN (experience pain and death)–sometimes demigods
• Exhibits traits of his culture or time period (loyalty,
courage, justice, dignity, hospitality, devotion)
• Quest or Journey – to overcome something of value
for self and society.
• Overcomes great obstacles/opponents while
maintaining humanity.
• Immortality through reputation.
Odysseus
Before the Trojan War, Odysseus
• married the beautiful and
faithful Penelope
• had one son, Telemachus
• Called to fight in the Trojan
War when Telemachus was
approximately 1 year old
Odysseus: A Hero in Trouble
When called to serve in the Trojan War, Odysseus
• pretended to be insane so he
wouldn’t have to go (he dressed
as a peasant, plowed his field
day and night , and sowed it with
sowed it with salt)
• Revealed his sanity to save his
son’s life (who was placed in
front of the plow by other
Greek soldiers)
[End of Section]
The War-Story Background
The Iliad provides the background for Odysseus’s
story and tells the tale of a ten-year war fought
outside the walls of Troy. In Homer’s Iliad
• the Trojan War is in its tenth and final year
• the people of Troy are fighting an alliance of Greek
kings because the world’s most beautiful woman and
wife of the Greek King (Menelaus), Helen , was
kidnapped by Paris, a prince of Troy
• Two great Greek warriors and friends experience
drama because of their female prizes of honor.
• TREND?
The War-Story Background
The greatest Trojan warrior (Hector) and the Greatest Greek
warrior (Achilles) both die in battle
Odysseus fought alongside Agamemnon and Achilles; his
greatest contribution to the war was his strategizing…
the Greeks won the war, reduced the city of Troy to
smoldering ruins, and butchered all survivors
[End of Section]
Relationships with Gods
Prominent gods and goddesses
Greek mythology plays an important role in the
Odyssey.
• For Homer, the gods influence all things,
including Odysseus’s fate.
• Homer is concerned with the relationship
between human and gods- humans must
constantly make sacrifices to please gods.
[End of Section]
Relationships with Gods
In Homer’s stories, a god can be an alter ego—a
reflection of a hero’s best or worst qualities.
• Odysseus is known for his
mental abilities, so he
receives aid from Athena, the
goddess of war and wisdom.
• Odysseus can also be harsh
and violent. Odysseus’s
nemesis is Poseidon, the god
of the sea, who is known for
arrogance and brutishness.
The Themes of the Odyssey
Odysseus and his family are searching for
• Moral relationships (loyalty, honor, dedication)
and behavior (hospitality, leadership, resisting
temptation)
• Home (wandering, infidelity)
• Knowledge and wisdom
• Respect for and from the gods
Mythological Creatures